Voters in Washington, D.C., will head to the polls on November 3 to select a new mayor, members of the city council, a House delegate, and other local officials. The election marks the first time in more than a decade that the city will elect a new mayor, as incumbent Muriel E. Bowser has declined to seek a fourth term. With the city’s strong Democratic leaning, candidates from the Democratic Party are widely expected to prevail in key races.

In the mayoral race, Democrat Janeese Lewis George, who has represented Ward 4 on the D.C. Council since 2021, is seen as the frontrunner. If elected, she would make history as the first democratic socialist to hold the city’s top elected office. Other mayoral candidates include independent Rhonda Hamilton and Robert L. Gross of the D.C. Statehood Green Party.

Two at-large seats on the D.C. Council are also on the ballot, along with several ward-specific contests. Voters will elect two candidates for the at-large seats, with the top two vote-getters winning. Among the candidates is independent Elissa Silverman, who won a special election in June to complete Kenyan R. McDuffie’s term. She faces Democrat Oye Owolewa, a pharmacist and shadow U.S. representative; Republican Darrell Green; and Darryl Moch from the D.C. Statehood Green Party.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson seeks re-election against Republican Abi-Ananiah Prudent. Ward 1, which includes neighborhoods such as Adams Morgan and Columbia Heights, features a four-way race with Democrat Aparna Raj, Republican Jett James Jasper, independent Ryan Prince, and Jude Crannitch of the Statehood Green Party. In Ward 5, Democrat Zachary Parker pursues a second term against Republican Jeffrey Kihien-Palza and Statehood Green candidate Joyce Robinson-Paul. Ward 6 incumbent Charles Allen is challenged by Republican Jorge Rice, while Ward 3 Council member Matthew Frumin runs unopposed.

For the nonvoting House delegate seat, Robert C. White Jr., a three-term at-large council member and former aide to outgoing delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, won the Democratic primary and faces Republican Denise Rosado and Kymone Freeman of the Statehood Green Party in the general election. If White wins, the local Democratic Party will appoint an interim council member until a special election can be held.

The race for attorney general features incumbent Brian L. Schwalb (D), seeking a second term against Republican Manuel Rivera. The attorney general oversees law enforcement for the city and provides legal counsel to government agencies.

Voters will also decide on a ballot initiative that would ban the production and sale of foie gras, a dish made from the livers of force-fed ducks and geese. Supporters of the measure, known as the Prohibiting Force-Feeding of Birds Act of 2026, say the production process is inhumane, while opponents defend the culinary tradition.

This election cycle will again use ranked-choice voting for contests with three or more candidates, such as mayor, at-large council seats, and House delegate. Voters can rank candidates in order of preference, and if no one achieves a majority initially, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes reallocated according to second choices until a winner emerges.

Ballots were mailed to all registered voters, who may return them by mail by November 3 or at designated drop boxes and voting centers. Ballots postmarked by Election Day will be accepted through November 13. Early voting runs from October 26 through November 1 at multiple locations across the District, with same-day registration available. Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day, and voters may cast ballots at any voting center.